Phoeniz AZ 3TV/CBS 5 News Report — Channel 3TV/CBS 5 News reports on Dr. Sue Sisley’s efforts at Scottsdale Research Institute in the Phoenix Central Valley to overcome roadblocks and barriers to finding eligible veterans to enroll in MAPS-sponsored clinical trial. The study is the first FDA-approved study of the effects of marijuana on veterans with PTSD. “We have an epidemic of veteran suicide in this county and you would think the Phoenix VA hospital, rather than ignoring the study or refusing to share information, you’d think they’d be eager to cooperate,” Sisley said. Sisley is looking for 46 more participants to enroll in the clinical trial.

Researcher: $2.1M Colorado-Funded Pot Study Facing Challenges

Colorado — Rocky Mountain PBS News investigates bureaucratic barriers to MAPS' ongoing study researching the efficacy of marijuana for treating symptoms of PTSD. Lori Jane Gliha of Rocky Mountain PBS News speaks with marijuana researcher and principal investigator Sue Sisley, M.D., about the difficulties of the recruitment process for enrolling 76 U.S. veterans in the study. “The biggest blockade right now…is the fact that the Phoenix VA hospital will not allow us access,” explains Sisley. "If we don't see a surge in veteran enrollment in the next month, we will change the focus of the study to include PTSD of all kinds."

Congressional Member Press VA Chief to Help Vet-focused Marijuana Research

Online — The Cannabist reports on a letter sent by members of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs to the Veterans Administration Secretary David Shulkin, urging the VA to allow research into the efficacy of marijuana for treating symptoms of PTSD for military veterans. "For several years the American Legion has been pressing the federal government to remove cannabis from Schedule I of Controlled Substances Act so that medical investigators could research the drug and its efficacy in treating PSTD, chronic pain and other illnesses that affect veterans,” explains Joe Plenzler, director of media relations for the American Legion. “Many veterans have told us that they have found relief from medical cannabis and have been able to stop taking VA-prescribed opioids. While we can’t change policy based on their compelling stories, we need to do the research so that we can have a national, fact-based adult conversation on the future of cannabis policy in America.”

How the VA Is Blocking Marijuana Research Veterans Say Could Save Lives

Online — Government Executive interviews military veterans who advocate for the use of medical marijuana for treating their symptoms of PTSD. Government Executive highlights MAPS' ongoing study researching the effects of smoked marijuana as a treatment for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. “Veterans know this is better than the alternative and were willing to take the risks to deal with this,” explains veteran and PTSD sufferer Thomas Brennan. Veteran Boone Cutler who also suffers from PTSD and insomnia explains that marijuana allowed him to sleep. “That was an absolute, 100 percent, 180-degree life changing event for me," says Cutler.

For These Vets Growing Pot Isn't Just A Job, It's A Cause

Los Angeles, California — BuzzFeed speaks with military veterans who are part of the cannabis cultivation training program at THC Design's grow facility in Los Angeles, Calif., and why they advocate for medical marijuana to treat PTSD. BuzzFeed also speaks to Brad Burge of MAPS about MAPS' clinical trial researching smoked marijuana for treating symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. “We’ve gotten thousands of inquiries, but the requirements are very strict, very specific,” explains Burge. “The enrollment has been very slow, and would be a lot quicker if the VA was willing or able — we’re not sure which it is – to refer their patients to us.”

Inside the Fight to Study Marijuana for Vets with PTSD

Shelby Hartman | Tonic Published: Nov, 10, 2017 3:57pm

Online — Tonic covers MAPS' ongoing clinical trial as we continue to recruit participants to test marijuana as a potential treatment for symptoms of PTSD in veterans at the Scottsdale Research Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. The trial enrolled the 30th participant and still needs 46 veterans with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD. Principal Investigator of the study Sue Sisley, M.D., of MAPS is interviewed about bureaucratic barriers to enrolling eligible participants into the study. “Folks with severe PTSD are at home, isolated, living in fear every day, dealing with these dark, horrific thoughts,” explains Sisley. “They’re not the ones who venture out every day so it’s really hard to find them.”

How Veterans are Helping Marijuana PTSD Research

PHOENIX — The waiting room at the Scottsdale Research Institute in Arizona could be any doctor’s office, except for the faint smell of marijuana.

The scent is the only indication that the small space, inside a nondescript gray building in an industrial park on Phoenix’s northern border, is home to a groundbreaking scientific study that could have far-reaching effects.

First Marijuana Testing for Vets with PTSD Underway in Phoenix; Volunteers Wanted

By Ray Stern | Phoenix New Times Friday, February 10, 2017 at 3:30 p.m.

The first-ever clinical study of smoked cannabis for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder took place in Phoenix this week, making medical-marijuana history.

The California-based Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), founded in 1986, is conducting the study with the help of a $2.16 million grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The first participant in a clinical trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of smoking marijuana to treat PTSD in veterans was given cannabis on Monday, according to the organization conducting the study.

The study will look at the safety and effectiveness of four separate levels of marijuana potency in 76 veterans. It will provide data on marijuana dosing, composition and side effects, and the potential benefits of using pot to treat PTSD.